Question

BUSINESS LAW: can I use another company’s logo as a part of my business’ advertising without the other businesses (logo) permission? If not, what action can they take against me. Please answer in detail :)

Answer 1

A logo helps to identify a particular brand, product or service. It is usually in the form of an image or symbol. It is very important to take permission from a company for using its logo. A person or company should never use a trademark or logo without written permission from its owner. To get permission, write a letter to the trademark owner. Include a description of why you are asking and how the logo will be used. If you use a company's logo without its permission it can file a suit to stop your use. It’s important to know that logos can be protected by one of two types of intellectual property rights: trademark and copyright. According to the United States Patent and Trademark office, trademark infringement is "the unauthorized use of a trademark or service mark on or in connection with goods and/or services in a manner that is likely to cause confusion, deception, or mistake about the source of the goods and/or services." A trademark naturally grants legal protection to its owner against anyone using it unlawfully. Trademark law is designed to prevent consumer confusion, as well as give businesses the incentive to build the strength of their brands. Owners of federally registered trademarks have various legal abilities, including the ability to sue infringers for damages and get injunctive relief from courts i.e., orders that infringing products be removed from sale. If you don’t have permission to use it you may find yourself subject to a trademark claim for unauthorized use of a logo in a way that is likely to cause deception. So, it is not legally advisable to use a company's logo without its permission. You cannot use another company's logo for your own business' advertising without their permission. If you do so then you have face the legal consequences of doing so.